Leave A Message: A Short Story by Faydra D. Fields

Summary:

Samia Murchison spends the next day in bed after partying hard at a club the night before with a really good-looking guy she takes home with her.

As calls come in throughout the day, Samia looks at the answering machine on her night stand but doesn’t pick up on any of the calls. She even lets her cellphone go to voicemail.

Well, that’s what you do when you don’t want to be disturbed, right?

According to the author, this book contains domestic violence and sexual violence against women.

The author has indicated that this book is not suitable for those 17 and under.

Excerpt:

The clock on Samia Murchison’s nightstand read 9:39am. While Samia stared at the answering machine, her home phone rang. Since she lived alone, there was no one else to pick up, and after four rings the answering machine clicked on.

“Hey, thanks for calling. I’m unable to come to the phone right now. You know what to do…” BEEEP!

“Samia, it’s Maudy. Pick up the phone. I know you’re there, since you’re not here, and I know you can hear me because you’re the only bitch I know in captivity that won’t use freakin’ voicemail. I don’t even know why they make answering machines anymore. Oh, wait. I guess it’s for prehistoric chicks like you that won’t get with the times. Hahaha. Anyway… Why aren’t you here? The boss is pissed! He doesn’t know I’m calling, but you need to get your ass up and get here, even if you are hung over from your date last night. You were sloshed when you left the club, girl! Besides, I want to know about that gu…” BEEEP!

Samia looked directly at the answering machine, but she didn’t move. The purple bruise on the side of her face was well set in by now.

Samia’s cellphone rang inside her purse. It was most likely Maudy trying another way to get in touch with Samia, who didn’t move to answer her cell phone either.

Samia’s house phone rang again.

“Hey, thanks for calling. I’m unable to come to the phone right now. You know what to do…” BEEEP!

"Samia, it’s Maudy again. I just tried your cell. I know you’re at home. You do this every time we go out and you meet a hot guy, but you know today is not the day for this. We’re on deadline. If I gotta be here, you gotta be here, and I’m going to keep calling and bugging your ass just to make sure you and gorgeous guy don’t get to have fun all day without me interrupting. Haha. So what position are you all in? I know you like…" BEEEP!

The clock on Samia’s nightstand, next to her answering machine, read 12:07pm. While Samia stared at the nightstand, her home phone rang again.

“Hey, thanks for calling. I’m unable to come to the phone right now. You know what to do…” BEEEP!

“Samia? It’s Mommy. How’d your date go last night? I got your message about the guy you met at the club. I thought it was so funny that you were sneaking and calling me while he was in the bathroom. I hope it went well. You deserve some happiness after what happened with you and Anthony. All right, love. You’re probably at work. No need to call me back unless you need to cancel on me tonight. I’ll try your cell. If I don’t get you, I’ll see you around 8:30 tonight. Dad says he…” BEEEP!

Samia looked directly at the answering machine, but she didn’t move. There were deep impressions from powerful fingers that had been wrapped around her throat.

Samia’s cell phone rang inside her purse. It was most likely her mother trying to catch Samia during her lunch break. After several rings, the cell phone went silent and unanswered in Samia’s purse.

Another call came through on her home phone, but Samia didn’t move to answer this call either.

“Hey, thanks for calling. I’m unable to come to the phone right now. You know what to do…” BEEEP!

“Hello, Samia. This is Dabney from Love Your Smile. We are calling to remind you of your dental appointment tomorrow at noon. You do not need to call the office unless you need to reschedule. Please remember that failure to show up will result in an inconvenience fee. We look forward to seeing you at noon tomorrow, and you will be seeing Dr. Ahmed, as you requested. See you then. Bye.”

The clock on Samia’s nightstand read 3:22pm. While Samia stared at the nightstand, her phone rang again.

“Hey, thanks for calling. I’m unable to come to the phone right now. You know what to do…” BEEEP!

“Hey, it’s Maudy. I still can’t believe you really blew off today of all days to lay up with pretty-boy-gorgeous-as-hell. By the way, he came in here looking for you around eleven. I’m shocked you told him where you work. Girl! He left you flowers! When I told him you weren’t here, he said he was going to go by your house and winked at me! Damn! He is fine! I can’t believe I didn’t keep him for myself. You better return the favor, bitch. Hahaha. Find out if he has any friends or, shit, a twin brother! Hell. I’ll take him if you decide he’s not for you. Hahaha. Anyway, your ass is grass tomorrow. You know we’re right in the middle of our annual report. I heard the boss in your cubicle cussing up a storm, trying to find your section for the report. Hahaha. He’s just pissed because he’s going to have to write it himself. Anyway, ca…” BEEEP!

Samia looked directly at the answering machine, but she didn’t move. The bruises on her thighs matched the bruise on her face and they were vicious, purple polka dots on her skin.